In December 1995, Mike Tyson was a recently freed man following his conviction and subsequent serving of three years for rape. On his journey to becoming world champion once again, Iron Mike crossed paths with John Madden for an interview that is equal parts magical and considerably forgotten in both iconic careers.

The two titans in their own worlds weave in-and-out of topics ranging from a thumb injury that postponed his Buster Mathis, Jr. bout, his favorite fight, the quest to remain humble and immerse himself back into society and if he thought he’d ever return to his glory years.

The Mike seen nowadays is more jolly. Interestingly enough – and to be expected – Mike’s demeanor here was colder. Given what we know now, Mike would find more success. Yet, none to the extent which his ’80s run garnered. Kid Dynamite confessed to Madden as he grew older, he struggled with the battle of remaining calm; a testament to the barbaric nature of his career and something John could relate to dealing with his own violent bloodsport.

Nostalgia provides the true magnitude of the six minute clip. Madden would see his celebrity only continue to skyrocket with the success of the NFL, but more so his timeless video game series. Tyson, on the other hand, never gained saw the in-ring prosperity he once knew before prison and before Buster Douglas. And would then lose a man he referred to as a true confidant less than a year later following one of his own fights. Somehow, however, Iron Mike battled demons both professionally and personally to become a pillar of everything awesome about outspoken entertainers.

What’s to learn from said clip? This. Sports tell some of the best stories. Often because the characters write their memoirs in real time.

You know the media really fucked up Mike’s image and I mean both comedians and those who focused on his negative moments. Listening to his interviews for someone who came from nothing literally and had no high level schooling he was/is remarkably eloquent. There’s so many boxers who sound like they should have horse bits in their mouths and just let their fists do the talking. But Mike knew and understood his role in the media, reminds me of the press interview he did where he said something to the effect of “I know you guys think I’m this destructive scumbag and you wont give me the chance to be eloquent or classy!” Or telling a female reporter that he was being a scumbag to her coz if he was classy and gentlemanly like she’d still think he was a scumbag!! Never got enough credit for his wit.

Dude was smart from hard lessons! Props to Madden for doing the interview and being respectful, kinda softball questions..

And I respect Tyson’s verbose qualities, but he did say he would ‘obliviate’ someone. Had to look that up: Originating from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Obliviate is a term meaning to ‘forget’. So either he needs credit on this in the urban dictionary or maybe Don King’s mindless shit talking rubbed off a bit.